The South African side of the paperwork
Before a car can leave South Africa, a few things have to happen there: finance cleared, police clearance, the export declaration and the eNaTIS record. Here is the order they usually go in, and what we need from you.
The exact list depends on the car, who owns it and where it is. We and our agents confirm the exact list for your car before anything is booked, so treat this page as the shape of it rather than the final word.
Six steps, in the order they usually happen
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Settle any finance and get the original registration certificate
The car has to be registered in your name, and you need the original certificate, not a copy. If the car is financed, the bank holds it. Settle the account first and ask for the papers to be released, because nothing else can move until they are in your hands.
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Police clearance for the vehicle
A SAPS police clearance for the car is normally needed for export. It confirms the car is what its papers say it is. Your forwarder will say where and when to get it done.
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eNaTIS status updated
The car’s record on eNaTIS is updated through the registering authority to show it has been deregistered or exported. Our forwarder confirms the timing, as it fits around the shipping date.
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Export declaration lodged with SARS
The clearing agent or forwarder lodges the export customs declaration with SARS. You supply the documents; you do not have to deal with SARS yourself.
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Tags, tracker, insurance and keys
Take off any e-tags or toll tags, clear out personal items and put every key together, spares included. Keep the car insured until it is collected, then cancel the insurance, tracker subscription and licence renewal.
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Handover
The car is collected from you and trucked to the port. We usually ship from Cape Town. From here on you can follow it in our customer portal.
Finance is the most common delay
If the car is financed, the original registration certificate is with the bank. Until the account is settled and the papers are released, the car cannot be exported.
It is worth starting this first, before you book anything else. Ask the bank for a settlement figure, pay it, then ask how long they take to release the certificate.
If you are buying a car in South Africa to bring over, check the seller has the original certificate in their name before you pay. The buying guide covers what else to ask for.
Documents and jobs to have ready
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What we need from you for the UK side
Once the car is on its way, our own customs agents and DVLA team take over. To register it here we need four things from you, and copies are fine to start with.
South Africa is two hours ahead of the UK in winter and one hour ahead during UK summer time, so we can usually catch you in your working day.
- Passport or ID Proof of who you are.
- Proof of UK address Where the car will be registered.
- Registration document The South African certificate, which DVLA asks to see.
- Purchase invoice What you paid, for the customs value.
Paperwork questions
My car is still on finance. Can it be exported?
Not until the finance is settled. While there is money owing, the bank holds the original registration certificate, and the car cannot be exported without it. Settle the account, ask the bank to release the papers, and the rest can move.
Do I need a police clearance for the car?
Normally, yes. A SAPS police clearance for the vehicle is usually needed before it can be exported. We and our agents confirm what is needed for your car and when it needs to be done.
Who lodges the export declaration with SARS?
The clearing agent or forwarder does, not you. You provide the documents and they lodge the declaration with SARS as part of getting the car onto the ship.
When should I cancel the insurance?
Not until the car has been collected. Keep it insured while it is still in your hands, then cancel the insurance, the tracker subscription and the licence renewal once it has gone.
I am already in the UK and the car is still in South Africa. Can this still work?
Often, yes, as long as someone there can hand over the car, the keys and the documents. Tell us who that will be in the quote form and we will work out the handover with them.
Tell us where your paperwork stands
Tell us about the car and whether there is finance on it. We confirm the exact list for your car and price the whole trip in one quote.
Ringing from South Africa? +44 1332 810442